Venezuelan Adventure (23) – Request For Map of Pariaguan – April 13, 1939

 

During the coming week, I will be posting letters written in April of 1939.  Both Lad and Dan are in Venezuela where Lad has just started a job with the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company to maintain their diesel pumping equipment.  Dan in out in the northern wilds of Venezuela at a camp run by Inter-America , which has been hired by the Venezuelan Government to build a road between Caracas and Maracaibo.  At the beginning of April, Grandpa sent several letters to Venezuelan Government Officials which he hoped would set off a firestorm which would result in both of his sons being paid the monies owed to them for their work.

 

April 13, 1939

Socony Vacuum Oil Company,

1 Broadway

New York City

Gentlemen:

My son, Alfred P.  Guion, writes from Caracas, Venezuela, that he has been employed by your Company, and is ordered to your camp located at a place called Pariaguan.

I have been endeavoring to locate this place on the maps which I have available but it does not seem to be shown.

It occurred to me that you might possibly have printed maps for your own use which you might be willing to send to an interested father.  Failing this, if you can give me some idea of the location of the camp it will be much appreciated.

Yours very truly,

 

Alfred D.  Guion

First Selectman

ADG-L

 

I do not know where this map came from but in an earlier letter, Lad writes that Pariaguan “is about 500 miles south east of Caracas, way inland, and fairly close to the Orinoco River.  The town of any importance nearest the camp is Ciudad Bolivar, and this is about 160 miles further south east and on the River”. 

 

Tomorrow and Wednesday I will be posting a long letter from Lad and on Thursday and Friday, a letter from Grandpa to his Conquistadors.

Judy Guion

 

Trumbull – Dear Boys (en masse) (2) – Notes to Each Son – April 12, 1939

 

Daniel Beck Guion

Page 3 of R-16

Dear Dan:

This will acknowledge yours of March 17th, written from Totouche and received here on April 4th, the day after I mailed my last letter to you..

It looks to me as if I know more of what is happening down there than you do, mainly because Lad is so dependable and regular about keeping us posted by airmail, 3 or 4  days after writing we know what is doing.  Probably by the time you get this note you will know that Lad is now working for the Socony-Vacuum people and expects to be sent to their camp at Pariaguan.  He himself does not yet know where it is or what kind of mechanical work he is expected to do, nor does he mention the salary he is to receive.  His last letter states he also has not yet been paid by I A.  Ted has sailed for home and expects to arrive in New York next Monday via Grace Line.

I also have your two letters enclosing the engineering reports which of course I shall keep for you.  These both arrived on February 1st. The report of the New York office being closed was not true.

I was very much interested to read of your finally finding the thing you wanted to do and that you intend to come back in the fall to study geology.  Would you like to have me get any information for you as to colleges, courses of study, etc.  Just say the word and I’ll perform.  It would be nice if you could get all that is coming to you from I A and starting May 1st, work for this other firm in Venezuela until say, September, so that you would have earned enough to carry you right through college without worrying anymore about paying for it.

Helen Plumb showed me your letter and the photo of the Phantom snake.  If you have any more films developed, why not send the prints along to file in the scrapbook.  It would be livened up considerably with a few illustrations scattered here and there through the text matter.

I am glad the way things are going is not getting you down.  Your philosophy is right: get all you can out of the thing while you can.  You are doing your job, or at least are there to do whatever you may be asked to do, and if they don’t ask you to do anything, you can’t be blamed for that.  I’m glad you are sticking at the Camp, because if those higher up were looking for some excuse to fire employees or refuse to pay them, the fact that you quitted the camp without leave might furnish the required pretext.  Therefore, if this other job pans out at all I should grab it quick, not only because Inter-America will probably fold up anyway, but because you will be getting presumably a higher rate, and will be paid promptly, but will be building up your educational reserve fund, and most of all, will be giving you some additional experience which will be valuable both from the standpoint of increasing your knowledge and experience, but will, in the eyes of your future employers, be an advantage.

Alfred Peabody Guion (Lad)

Thursday P?M?

Dear Lad:

Aunt Anne ((Peabody) Stanley, with her two children, Don and Gwen) has been up and gone.  She has purchased a new Plymouth which she has had Carl (Wayne, a friend of Lad’s) Simonize for her.

I received on April 11th your letter written April 5th, containing some very interesting news regarding the Diesel installations and the new job.  I had hoped another letter would arrive today giving the details, but maybe it will be in tomorrow.  You did not say how much they are paying you, nor did you tell us one item of news which both Aunt Helen ((Peabody) Human, sister of Arla Mary (Peabody) Guion, my Grandma) and myself were hoping you would mention and that was whether Max (Mr. Maxidian, President of Inter-America, the company that brought Lad and Dan to Venezuela in the first place) actually sailed on Monday as he was expected to do.  We wondered if it were so hot for him down there with your vivid picture of jail life before us, that he had decided even Tom Dewey’s treatment would be preferable and had skipped.  But we don’t KNOW.

You don’t need to hesitate about cashing the draft because Monday the checks from the State came through, which I endorsed with your name and deposited to my account in the bank, so that makes us all straight on that transaction.  I have also taken care of your insurance premium — paid it today as a matter of fact.  Doctor Clark has just written asking for payment, which of course I have been unable to take care of.  With this, the loan, the amount owing at Reads and Meigs (two Department stores in Bridgeport) and certain other incidentals, I am afraid the total bill will amount to about $300, plus or minus.  I am hoping that back salaries will be forthcoming before May 15th when taxes are due.

Ted (Human, the uncle that was hired by Inter-America to over-see the construction of a road from Caracas to Maracaibo, and brought his nephews along) has written he will have to go to the hospital when he gets back as his liver is very wrong yet.  Aunt Helen is trying to decide whether to call for him at the boat with an ambulance or whether to take him to a hospital in New York, New Rochelle or Bridgeport.

Am much pleased to know you are settled in a new job and hope it will be the kind of work you like and one in which you can show what sort of specimens we produce in little old Conn., USA.

Auf wiedersehn.

DAD

Tomorrow and Sunday I will be posting more letters from the World War II Army Adventures of my Uncle Dave, Grandpa’s youngest son (18 years old). 

Judy Guion

Trumbull – Dear Descendants (2) – Between Dan and His Dad – April 22, 1945

 

This is a rather longer section of the letter from Grandpa to his boys, scattered around the world, but I wanted to keep all pertinent remarks from and to Dan together. 

And speaking of that limb of the Armed Forces, I received a letter yesterday which saved the week from being a dud, which contained news substantiating the old saying about the course of true love not running smoothly — a development which I had been anticipating for some weeks, although not for the reason assigned — but we will let the Sgt. tell it in his own words: Incidentally, the letter which came by regular mail made remarkably good time, being dated April 15th and arriving here on the 21st (possibly because being mailed in Paris?). “I am in a state of flux at the moment, not knowing what to write about despite the fact that many things have happened lately. To me, the most important and distressing occurrence has not been Roosevelt’s death (blasphemy tho’ it be to say) but rather it is my abrupt removal from Calais where I have spent the last six months. The official reason for my return to Paris is that the work is nearly finished in Calais and some of the men are no longer

Page 2   4/22/45

needed there. The real reason, shameful as it may seem, is that the sergeant in charge of the job didn’t think I was capable of courting Paulette and working for the Army at the same time. I have a strong impression that the complications run deeper to personal animosity, but I don’t suppose I have the right to say so — prejudiced as I am. I have argued with him from time to time about errors he has made in his work and although later, he admits in so many words that he was wrong, he finds it impossible to forget. Others have suffered much more than I by incurring his disfavor. So I am separated from Paulette for the first time and even the novelty of “Paris in the Spring” cannot overshadow my chagrin.

Daniel Beck Guion

Last night, at long last, I had a photograph taken of my motely map. The photographer, being a very capable portraitist, should be able to touch it up into something quite presentable. The package arrived with my slides yesterday. About two weeks ago the package with the lipstick arrived. I’m still “sweating out” the others. Apropos of nothing, I have met “Chiche’s” two sisters — at Easter — They seem to be quite nice, neither too stilted nor too vulgar — (after discounting the natural vulgarity of the French as a race). I continue in good health and spirits, and anticipate an early conclusion of the war and declaration of peace. Love to all. Dan”.

Which brings us to the inevitable “comment” by Pater. I can sympathize quite keenly with the disappointment which you must feel but knowing what a good sport you are, perhaps it is unnecessary for me to say that looking at the thing from a more detached viewpoint, it has its compensations. If such a thing be possible, you will both appreciate the other more for a period of enforced absence. Moreover, isn’t it somewhere near Paris that Paulette’s relatives live and isn’t it possible, even under existing conditions, for her to visit her relatives occasionally, even though you cannot frequently make the journey to Calais? If you’re anything like your father, having to work day after day under the direction of someone you do not like is exceedingly irksome and peace destroying and unless you jump from the frying pan into the fire, perhaps new work under some other superior officer will be much pleasanter. In Paris, too, you will have more of an opportunity to see old friends, Lad, etc., than was possible in Calais. Then in after years, as you look back on it, Paris in the spring, as you mention, will not be something to be disregarded.

I am delighted at the photograph news. Only last night Aunt Betty dug up a snapshot of your dad standing between Ced and Dan and remarked that this was the only good photo she had of Dan. And on the bureau in my room I have photos of all my boys in the service save Dan. Incidentally, Ced, there’s a thought there when you are racking your brain to think of something to send me as a remembrance).

I am glad two of the packages reached you, but it would help if, in reporting receipt of packages from home, you would go a bit into detail as to contents received, as I have sent quite a few all told, and I cannot recall after so long a lapse of time, just what was in each package, and more important for future guidance, what is useful and what not and to what degree. And please don’t overlook to lightly

Page 3  4/22/45

the specific question I have asked from time to time regarding Paulette. We are also interested in her here that every letter that comes from you is eagerly anticipated because of further information it might give regarding my new daughter. Find out too, if there might not be a good market over there which is not particularly good here, for gold and diamond rings I have in my safe deposit vault, so that it might be advantageous for me to send them to you for disposal. And be sure to let me know at once just as soon as the engagement and wedding rings reach you. While they are insured to be sure, there is nevertheless a bit of anxiety as to their safe delivery to you and of course your honest opinion of our efforts to act as your purchasing agent.

The posts tomorrow and Thursday will be much shorter, and on Friday, I’ll post a letter from Lad, stationed in southern France.

Judy Guion

Trumbull – The Guion Clipping Service (1) News From Some of the Boys – May 7, 1944

 

Trumbull, Conn. May 7, 1944

Dear Subscribers to the Guion Clipping Service:

For purposes of record let me here state right at the beginning that if Anchorage had come through last week, we would have marked up a score of 100%. Yes sir, even Dick contributed. Top honors however, go to California. Lad writes:

Alfred Peabody Guion (Lad)

April 30. It is six o’clock here but in Conn. it is 9 PM so I imagine you have finished your weekly chore of writing to your widely separated families, by now. I have been in bed all day trying to get rid of a cold and Marian seems to have been quite successful as a nurse. I feel a great deal better than I did last night at this time. Sometime after the middle of May and possibly before the 20th, I can take a 15 day furlough with six or seven days traveling time. Or I can wait until about June 10th. However, if the battalion moves from Pomona before I take it, it might mean a cancellation of furloughs. Therefore I think it better to take it as soon as possible. We are both looking forward eagerly to seeing you-all. We’ve not had a chance to get our pictures taken, due to odd working hours but we still have hopes. If things go as we are hoping, you will see us in person before we could send you a picture anyway. Possibly you have seen something in the papers regarding the closing of the CAMA (Calif.-Ariz. Maneuver Area) of which Pomona is the general headquarters. Therefore, Pomona Ordnance Base activities have been cut to a minimum, as well as personnel. There are to be only a few men left here, and as yet we don’t know which companies they will be. Of course, we’re hoping that the 3019 will be one of those remaining, but if not, we shall be moving out in a few weeks. So far, we have not had a chance to really use our trailer and I’d just as soon not have to use it yet. (Signed) Lad

Marian (Irwin) Guion

And Marian adds this: Isn’t it exciting about our “Furloughmaybe”? I refuse to believe it however until we actually arrive, but I find myself giving an extra hop, skip and a jump every once in a while just thinking about it. (Not that Jeep influence again, I hope.)

 

Daniel Beck Guion

Dan is ripe for sulfur and molasses or some other spring tonic, I believe. He writes: Spring has come early this year and found me unprepared to resist its cozening wiles — so, if nearly a month has elapsed since you heard from me it is not because of any startling developments, nor is it lack of time. Call it willing indolence, tempered by intervals (such as this moment) of a rather battered conscience. And try to be content with the hope that the weather will turn “beastly”, thus breaking the spell that has bound one with a thousand subtle meshes. Life has become too pleasant to be compatible with the war that has brought it about. “Ah, to be in England, now that April is here – – and now I abandon myself again to its sweet seduction.”

Richard Pebody Guion

The proprietor of Brazilian Stables, Inc., says his intention was to write a long letter but “I don’t feel exactly radiant this evening. I am in the midst of a cold and there has been a lot of work lately.

This letter is a 3-pager, with a long letter from Dave, at Camp Crowder, Missouri, for Basic Training, which I will post tomorrow. On Friday Grandpa will add his two-cents worth.

Judy Guion

Venezuelan Adventure (19) – Lighting the Fire (3) – April 3, 1939

My grandfather is fed up with the way his sons are being treated in Venezuela so he’s decided to do something about it. He shoots off a barrage of letters to  government officials in Venezuela to light a fire under someone.

 

Daniel Beck Guion working in Venezuela

April 3, 1939

To the Honorable Enrique Aguerrevere

Minister of Public Works

Edificio Espana

Caracas Venezuela

Honorable Sir:

May I ask your aid in behalf of my son, Daniel B Guion, who is employed as transit man by Inter-America, Inc., and who on October 21, 1938 sailed from New York on the Grace Line to work on a Venezuelan road survey.

The written contract called for the payment of a stipulated salary plus all expenses while in the company’s employee. From that date up to the present time, in spite of repeated promises from the company’s New York office, no salary whatsoever has been paid for his services. On March 31st there was due him on back salary a sum representing 5 1/3 months work.

He informs me that his fellow workers are also unpaid. I have reason to believe the company is insolvent. I know they have frequently been forced to supply their own food.

I feel sure that you would not knowingly permit conditions of this sort to exist, particularly as I learn that the very highest standards are maintained in the management of public works under your direction, and that your labor laws are excellent and are strictly enforced.

Otherwise, I would not presume to bother you with so small a matter from a governmental standpoint, even though it is of serious concern to the individuals concerned.

As I am considerably concerned as to my son’s welfare, any action you may feel warranted to remedy this situation will be much appreciated.

Very sincerely yours,

Alfred D Guion

ADG:G

Tomorrow I’ll post the final letter with a personal note from Grandpa to Lad.

Judy Guion

 

Venezuelan Adventure (18)- Lighting the Fire (2) – April 3, 1939

My grandfather is fed up with the way his sons are being treated in Venezuela so he’s decided to do something about it. He shoots off a barrage of letters to  government officials in Venezuela to light a fire under someone.

 

Daniel Beck Guion and two peons working in Venezuela

April 3, 1939

To the Honorable Luis G. Pietri

Minister of the Interior

Caracas, Venezuela

Hon. Sir:

May I ask your indulgence in what may seem to be merely a personal matter?

My only excuse for so doing lies in the fact that Inter-America, Inc. is apparently insolvent, and that being the case, as they have secured an exemption from making the customary deposit, their American employees are apparently left stranded in the interior of Venezuela without means of support.

May I sight my son as an example of the conditions applying to other employees of Inter-America, Inc., now engaged in road survey work somewhere between Carora and Lake Maracaibo.

Daniel B Guion entered the employ of Inter-America, Inc. on October 21, 1938. His contract called for a monthly salary plus all expenses. Up to March 31, 1939, a lapse of 5 1/3 months, he has been paid nothing.

I am informed that the labor laws of Venezuela are exceptionally fine and are rigidly enforced, and that your government would not knowingly permit them to be disregarded as they apparently have in this instance.

May I therefore ask for your investigation into the affairs of this company? Your interest will be greatly appreciated.

Very sincerely yours,

Alfred D. Guion

ADG:G

Tomorrow and Friday I will be posting the other letters grandpa mailed to Venezuelan government officials. 

Judy Guion

Venezuelan Adventure (17) – Lighting the Fire (1) – April 3, 1939

 

My grandfather is fed up with the way his sons are being treated in Venezuela so he’s decided to do something about it. He shoots off a barrage of letters to  government officials in Venezuela to light a fire under someone.

            Alfred Duryee Guion  (Grandpa)

April 3, 1939

Mr. S. E. McMillan

American Consul

U.S. Consulate

Caracas, Venezuela

Dear Sir:

Enclosed please find copies of letters written to two officials of the Venezuelan Government, which letters I believe are self-explanatory.

Anything you can do to expedite the straightening out of this mess will be appreciated by an anxious parent.

I will, of course, be glad to supply you with any further details in my power to obtain, if you will let me know what is needed.

My son, Daniel B. Guion, is at present stranded somewhere between Carora and Lake Maracaibo. Another son, Alfred P. Guion, who left New York December 30 in the employ of Inter-America, Inc. can undoubtedly supply you with further details. He is located at the Hotel Aleman in Caracas.

If you think I ought to start inquiries through our own State Department in this country, please suggest what steps I should take. I am acquainted with some of the higher officials in Washington and might be able to stir up some quick action if you think it advisable. Meanwhile I will rest the matter in your hands.

Your cooperation will be gratefully accepted.

Very sincerely yours,

Alfred D. Guion

ADG:G

Enc. 2

Tomorrow, Thursday and Friday I will be posting the rest of the letters Grandpa has sent off to Venezuela to try to expedite straightening out the mess with Inter-America. 

Judy Guion

 

Trumbull – Dear Doggies (2) – Two Boxes and Local News From Trumbull – April 15, 1945

 

 

Paulette Van Laere

Page 2     4/15/45

Another box was promptly dispatched to you during the week, Dan, which I hope will reach you before the war is over (or do I?). I am sorry to say I was unable to get a table cover of the size you wanted. Howland’s said they had had no oilcloth table covers for over a year. Read’s had one left, quite a bit smaller than you specified but I sent it along anyway. Howland’s had a very poor assortment of needle sizes, Read’s no needles at all, but I’m going to try some other stores. I also included in the box some more postage stamp assortments but the low price makes me wonder if any of the stamps will be of much interest to your perspective brother-in-law. I did succeed in getting two laundry brushes and I also enclosed in the box another of your shirts and a small box of writing paper for Paulette, with the initial V on the sheets.

And while I am on the subject of boxes, I am sending pretty soon one to Dave. I read in Ernie Pile’s account of his landing on Okinawa that he was practically eaten up the first night with mosquitoes, and while it may be that the Army furnishes you boys with mosquito netting, it seemed worth the chance, so I ups and buys enough for one cot cover, but as it did not come very wide, I got a double length so that you can employ some of your time, Dave, in plying needle and thread. Just as a bit of a novelty, I put in Dan’s package and will also include in yours, a can of popping corn and a bottle of oil (I suppose you can get salt) so that to vary the monotony some night, you can have a corn popping party if you can find or devise some form of popper. AND, Dan, this week I also instructed Davis & Hawley to mail to you, insured, a package containing an engagement ring and a wedding ring. The girls are fearful that the size is too small but supposedly the jewelers followed the instructions you sent as to what the ring size should be. I hope both Paulette and yourself will be satisfied with the efforts of the joint purchasing commission which consisted of Marian, Jean and yours truly. Anyway, we think we did pretty well.

In today’s Sunday Post there is a picture of Sgt. Benjamin A. Slauson, and quote: “Mrs. Benjamin A. Slauson, of Main Street, has received word from Lieut. Gen. George C. Kenny, U S A commander, that her son, Staff Sergeant Benjamin A. Slauson, was decorated with the Bronze Star medal in recognition of courageous service to his combat organization. He was cited for heroic achievement in connection with military operation against the enemy at Dulag Harbor, Leyte, P.I., on Nov. 12, 1944. He was a crew member aboard a ship when an enemy airplane made a suicidal dive and crashed into his vessel, killing 89 men and seriously wounding 100 others. When two explosions started fire in the stern, hurling shrapnel and debris about the ship, Slauson and other crew members hastened to the aid of the injured and extricated the wounded from the flames and wreckage and fought fires with shrapnel-riddled hose until a naval vessel came to their aid. Sgt. Slauson enlisted in the service five years ago and has been in the Pacific two years. Prior to entering the service he was employed at the Stanley Works and was a graduate of Bassick High School. He is 25 years of age.”

I also received the following in the mail this week: Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Fowler requested the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Mildred Elizabeth, to Ensign Harold Stacy Kercher, U.S.N.R., on Saturday, April 28th at Hamden, Conn.

Tomorrow, I’ll finish the week and this letter.

On Saturday and Sunday, more  of the World War II Army Adventure from Dave.

Judy Guion

 

Trumbull – Dear Doggies (1) – A Letter From Dan – April 15, 1945

Trumbull, Conn., April 15, 1945

Dear Doggies:

When this old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard this week, said cupboard, being familiarly known as Box 7, she found in the traditional manner the said cupboard bare, and so the poor dog had none in the shape of quotable bones, either domestic or foreign; which of course explains the form of salutation and takes away the stigma of classifying you with “man’s best friend”.

Lilac time is practically here. Indeed I expect that perhaps even tomorrow or surely by Tuesday the lilacs will be out enough to pick. Another sign of spring is rhubarb from Mr. Laufer’s garden which Marian prepared for dessert today in a delectable gelatin concoction. Other vernal straws in the wind might be found in my days occupation which consisted of cutting the grass, cleaning the barn, taking down storm windows and putting up screens. Yesterday afternoon I gave a priming coat of paint to the new back porch which Carl Laufer has completed.

            Daniel (Dan) Beck Guion

Back again to the first paragraph, I just realized I am wrong. I did receive a letter from Dan. Events have transpired so swiftly this week, what with the President’s sudden death and the swift advance of the armies in France, that my impression was Dan’s letter was received earlier than it actually was. However, here it is: (Dated March 24) If you check the date above against the news, you will know that it has not been “just another day” around here. As I write, the world at large is still ignorant of what is going on although the radio has given some inkling already. I am reminded of that day last July (25th) when I was an eyewitness of a portion of the big break-through in Normandy. That day I saw hundreds and hundreds of planes pass overhead – – saw the point where they circled in the sky – – felt the earth tremble under the onslaught of bombs – – saw the planes return toward England. Today, although I am much further from the front, I have seen another great spectacle in the air. I can only guess at the result, but I am confident that it is no mere side-show.

Coincidentally, our own work is being stepped up and the bright new sun finds me somewhat bleery-eyed from nearly 24 hours of constant going. It is becoming increasingly difficult to visit “Chiche” (his fiance, Pauletter Van Laere) these days but I suppose my efforts for Uncle Sam might have some infinitesimal effect on the establishment of peace on earth.

Paulette was very pleased at having received letters both from Dad and Marian, although it soon became apparent when I took the letters to her house that the rest of the family was just as avidly interested, each person wanting to translate the letter in his own peculiar manner when I hesitated too long over a precise translation of a line. Thanks a lot for having written. I know that has made “Chiche” much more confident of her pending trip to Trumbull. No plans have been formulated for her voyage to America, except that she shall not precede me. I doubt that she will be permitted to cross with me. That will be decided by one of the fates, and the U.S. Army. In the meantime, please add the following to my “gi’ me” list: one 6’ x 6’ oilcloth table cover, one paper of assorted needles, two sturdy laundry brushes, also laundry soap powder. Reading between the lines you will realize there is still room to say “love to all”.

Dan.

Tomorrow and Friday, the rest of this letter.

On Saturday and Sunday, more of Dave’s World War II Army Adventure.

Judy Guion

Trumbull – Dear Dan and Dear Lad – A Warning and News from Trumbull – April, 1939

 

 

R-15

Dear Dan:

The pace is swifter of late.  Since I wrote you last week Lad has fired Inter-America, Inc.,  Max has decided to fly back to New York, Rudolph has been put in charge of things in Ted’s place, Ted (Human) has decided to return home as soon as he can stand the trip and I have started to raise hell with the Venezuelan government at the treatment you are receiving, and in general, hell’s a poppin’.

Lad had a run in with Max who wanted him to join you out in the field, which Lad refused to do without being paid, claiming he did not want to be stranded out in the bush with no money.  This made Max mad  and Lad was told he would be sent back to New York where he could collect back salary.  Lad replied he would have to have more than Max’s word for this, so Lad is now looking for a job with some other concern.

As for you, the sooner you can connect with some other outfit, the better.  I hope that job the Engineering Society had open for you in Venezuela comes through.  If you need any money for cables, or for food, for that matter, and can reach Alfred, perhaps he can help you out.  You had better watch your step and not do anything that will enable Max or Rudolph to accuse you of failing in your duty so that they can have an excuse to fire you until you can make some other connection, but I think you should spare no effort to tie up with some other concern as soon as possible, as it looks to me as though the whole outfit down there were going to fold up.  The complaints I am making to the government may help to do this, but not, I believe, before back salaries of everybody have been paid up.  As Ted will probably get through and further, as I believe Rudolph has been kidded by Max to come over to his side, I don’t see that there will be much use for you to stay on if that other job can be hastened by any means (that’s what I meant by referring to cabling above ).

Whether Lad’s run in with Max and Rudolph’s subsequently coming over to Max’s side on the promise of being given Ted’s job, will have any repercussions in Rudolph’s treatment of you, I don’t know, but this will serve as a tip for you to watch your step in case Max has planned to get even with Lad through you.  The whole business is in a nice mess and I’ll be glad when you are both free of it and either connected up with some other decent company or on your way home with back salary in your pocket.  Lad had an opportunity of possibly getting a job with an oil co., and as he seems to like it pretty well in Caracas, he may stay on for a while.

DAD

********************************************************

Page 2 of R-15

Dear Lad:

Enclosed are the letters you suggested I write as per the airmail letter I received from you Saturday afternoon.  I had just that morning sent you an airmail with the draft covering the payment for unemployment insurance.  I hope I have interpreted Ted’s suggestions properly.  The reference to the deposit was somewhat vague, as I did not know what the deposit referred to as being exempted, or was supposed to cover, so I hope the reference I made to it was O.K.

Yesterday and today, Reyom was moving down to the cottage, Zeke and Biss are moving in this week.  They plan to paper or paint and use the furniture (ours) that is in there until such time as they have money enough to purchase nice pieces of their own.  Marion (Mrs. Laurence Peabody) invited both the newlyweds down to New Rochelle with the rest of us for Easter dinner, but Zeke would rather not go so Biss is going anyway.  Marion has also invited Aunt Betty (Duryee) and Elsie (Duryee, Grandpa’s sister), as well as Helen (Peabody Human, Mrs. Ted)and Dorothy (Peabody) and all of us, so it will be quite a party.  We’ll be thinking of you boys of course.  Dick has been in bed yesterday and today was a cold but seems to be better tonight.  He is twanging away on his guitar right now and has been spending his time making up models with plasticine.  Helen (Human) came back from New York yesterday.  Uncle Fred Stanley, ex-husband of Aunt Anne (Peabody)Stanley), she says, took Gweneth (their daughter, bout Dave’s age) up to Westport to visit some friends and in getting out of his auto, slipped and smashed his face up against a stone post, breaking his nose and blacking his eye.  He is getting better O.K. and will probably show no marks.  Mr. Keating took David and some other boys up to West Point yesterday.  Today has been a blustery day, not cold but windy with quick changes from sunshine to clouds.  Last night we hadthis the first thunderstorm of the season and quite a hard rain later.  Ced has been spending about three days taking all the books out of the shelves in both rooms, cleaning them off, washing the bookcases and rearranging all the books.  He has done his usual thorough job and they look much better.  There is really not enough news in this letter to warrant spending the extra money for airmail, but I think I shall do it just the same in order that you may know what I have written to the Venezuelan government officials, which letters I am also sending by airmail.

Why don’t each of you boys go back over the letters I have written you, if you have saved them, and answer some of the questions I have asked from time to time?

DAD

The letters Grandpa has written to the Venezuelan officials (on the town of Trumbull First Selectman letterhead) will be posted on May 29th, when we return to this story line.

Tomorrow and Sunday I will be posting more letters from Dave regarding his World War II Army Adventure. 

Judy Guion